Whores at the capitalist gangbang

Reading this news item just now, about Jermaine Dupri’s latest business venture, I couldn’t help but thinking: What kind of rapper in his right mind would sign to TAG Records?

After all, it’s a record label named after a brand of deodorant. And who knows what being signed to TAG Records might actually entail. I’m assuming their not just gonna give you a shiteload of money to release your music without helping boost their brand. They’re probably gonna insist that you dance around with a can of body spray in your video and all sorts of shit.

But then it occurred to me that this deal isn’t altogether different from the deal Jay-Z just signed with Live Nation. They both basically involve artists getting paid to appear in advertisement rather than to create songs that people actually like.

When Jay-Z signed deal, of course many in the hip-hop community were filled with the sense of vicarious achievement that they always feel whenever it’s announced that Jay-Z has made some more money (if it sounds silly, that’s because it is), but many in the business community weren’t nearly as impressed. They wondered how Live Nation could possibly hope to make money, paying Jay a $10 million advance for each of three forthcoming albums when his last album only sold a million copies.

But as some of the more astute members of the business community pointed out, Live Nation could probably give a rat’s ass whether or not they make any money from the distribution of his recordings. They don’t expect to. The idea is just to produce the albums as an advertisement for the subsequent tour, and then rape him for a larger percentage of the tour proceeds than they’d receive otherwise.

So essentially, they signed Jay-Z to an endorsement deal, of which the recording aspect is relatively ancillary. Any albums he’ll record under this deal will just be advertisements for the subsequent tour, where they’ll make the real money. If there’s a difference, it’s that at least the deal Jay has involves performing live. Though it may have never been particularly worth a shit, the live performance is the essence of hip-hop. Body spray? Not so much.

If anything, this just goes to show the growing difference between the haves and the havenots in the hip-hop community. Take for example Jay’s own label. Right around the time it was announced Jay was back in bed with the TIs, it was announced that Beanie Sigel, who’s headed back to prison because he can’t kick the sizzurp (hope he’s got a good ticker!), only makes something ridonkulous like 14 cents an album. Which is why you always hear about someone having to put up money so he can get his car back.

And I believe similar financial issues were behind Young Buck finally splitting with G-Unit. As my boo Miss Info explains it, Buck owed some ridonkulous amount of money to the IRS, so Fiddy bailed him out. But as a result, all of the money Buck would have received as royalties from his recording with G-Unit was seized by Fiddy Cent. Buck figured he might have finally been out of the woods financially with this last album, so to speak, but I guess Fiddy begged to differ.

Guys like Beanie Sigel and Young Buck I’m sure would scoff at the idea of having to shill for body spray just in order to maintain their careers as recording artists, but I wonder what other choices they’d have at this point. Both of them could obviously use the money, and it’s not like the old model is coming back any time soon. Even if they could talk the TIs into increasing the amount they make per record sold, it’s not like the TIs are making very much money themselves these days. That’s why a touring company like Live Nation was able to come in and take Jay-Z from them.

That said, I’m not sure how better Jay-Z is really gonna be. I mean, I’m sure he’s not gonna run out of money any time soon, but I’m sure they’re gonna make him work for it. He’s gonna be like one of these washed up acts who has to play Las Vegas every night of the week, though perhaps less work intensive. And since his deal with Live Nation also involves other forms of endorsement, he’ll probably also have to do his share of shilling. If you thought that shit with Kingdom Come and Budweiser Select shit was lame, I’m sure it’s only gonna get worse.

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http://www.myspace.com/iaminvisibleman Undah

Geez, hip hop… damn.

DC

Jay-Z stans will be out in full force to bitch about this post, Bol, and they’ll probably call you a hater and end their posts with ” <3 Jigga GOAT”. These Jay-Z dick worshipers are almost as annoying as the army of G-Unit foot soldiers who invade every hip hop website these days. Jay-Z is not the greatest of all time, in fact he’s borderline even good. Just to let you all on a little secret, American Gangster was mediocre and not some profound masterpiece that Jay or dumbass bloggers have proclaimed it to be. I saw that VH1 Story Tellers episode, and the shit almost made me puke. His music and lyrics aren’t really very introspective, so he has to tell everyone that the album is deep and artistic. As a matter of fact, his only great album was Reasonable Doubt, and even that doesn’t crack the top 20 of all time. You can enjoy the guys music, but don’t try to shove it down everyone’s throat that he’s the best ever. Plus, if MTV makes a list or formulates any opinion about hip hop, it usually is bullshit.

og bobby j

I agree..in some respects. American ganster was mediocre at best…but Reasonable doubt was fire…Black Album was fire….Jay-z is fire…best alive..maybe. For me, Reasonable doubt cracks not only my top 20, but top 10 as well. I will provide you the rest below. Also, I dont know what is worse, the G-unit soldiers or the game stans….both are delusional.

capital punishment is in no way shape or form better than ready to die. Life after death is better also. Homie step your rap game up that list is ass. Illmatic not in your top 10? Get the fuck outta here. All eyes on me? Paid in full? where they at Your a homo nigga. That is no doubt a suburban white boy top 10. We are the streets? Your a joke if you think thats one of the best albums ever.

Moniker

I really respect that list man, you didn’t put the traditional same 10-15 cds that everyone damn person puts. All nasty albums too.

DC

Illmatic, Ready to Die, Paid in Full, 36 Chambers, The Low End Theory, Resurrection, Only Built 4 Cuban Linx,
Criminal Minded, The Score, Black Star, Supreme Clientele, Straight Outta Compton, The Chronic, 3 Feet High and Rising, Illadelph Halflife, License to Ill, Stillmatic, It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back, Black on Both Sides, Midnight Marauders. Those are pretty much the 20 best rap albums ever, give or take a few that I might swap in or out if it wasn’t off the top of my head. Get the fuck out of here with Get Rich or Die Tryin’ and Doggystyle. Neither Snoop nor 50 can really rap for shit.

Og bobby j

be clear…I am talking about my top 10…not what you or anyone elses thinks.

@DC – excellent list…and I own almost the entire list….I am not about to compare the lyrical ability of 50 or snoop to nearly any respectable lyricist…but both GRODT and Doggystyle are excellent albums. act like you kno that much at least

@ my new dick ryder M-ez
If you aint fucking with Pun…your a burger. Its my opinion you fucking mule…I fucks with illmatic, but I fuck with it was written more…..I am not going to justify shit to you….your obviously looking for my attention…like your cum hungry mother….stay in your lane you e thug.

DC

I love Doggystyle (?) but I just don’t think it has the lyrical quality needed when you are talking about the best hip hop albums ever. As for GRODT, I guess we can agree to disagree. I really think 50 peaked at Power of a Dollar, which, so no one accuses me of being a hater, is a damn good album. The beats on GRODT knock, but other than production, the shit was just okay. We Are the Streets is fucking incredible, though. Jada might be top 10 of all time; that’s a list for another day though.

Rocco907

hahha, this list is a joke…we are the streets?! that gave you zero credibility right there…let me guess…youuuuu’rrrrreee…25?

og bobby j

@ DC – Indeed…Agree with the Jada comment. I also am trying to compose a list of meaningful albums in my life…so GRODT in my last years of college was that shit….I also love the Legal Drug Money (lost boyz) album…and Juve’s 400 degreez..them shits was sick during the better years of my life…….

@ Rocco

Explain to me how your opinion of the we are the streets album has any bearing on MY favorite albums of all time? I wasnt asking for your credibility or praise…just stating an opinion. Let me guess….your mad I didnt put petey pablo on the list?

maxwell

Gotta give you credit BJ you still stick to your guns no matter what. Of course they shoot blanks but you still stick with ‘em. How’s that healthcare issue going?
@ m-ez.
You’re right that is a suburban white boy list because og bobby j is a suburban white boy. Which is also why his moniker is a tribute to Robert Johnson of B.E.T. fame. Because watching B.E.T. is what suburban white boys think that black people do.

DETROIT

not tryin to diss, but OJ Bobby J must be early 20′s at best, you’re missin REAL classics hommie. Here’s my list in no particular order:

Raekwon – Only Built For Cuban Linx
Wu-Tang Clan – Wu Tang Forever
Ice Cube – Death Certificate
Outkast – Aquemini
Too Short – Get In Where You Fit In
Dr. Dre – The Chronic
Nas – It was Written
NWA – Niggas 4 Life
Mobb Deep – The Infamous (murda music was cold too)
E-40 – Charlie Hustle

Oh yea, I forgot Tribe Called Quest – Midnight Marauders and The Low End Theory!

og bobby j

@ Maxwell and the other large afro bearing r&b singers
I see you are trying to make this a racial issue, but it seems that the color of my skin must effect the sound waves of music in the air. Dont attempt to dicredit my preferences in music becuase your uncomfortable in your skin….Because you feel neglected by your own people or numerous other issues….you make a list about classic cd’s into a race issue…its sad. Truth is tho, I have no problem traveling that road if needed….I got a handful of racial shit to through your way…but face it…your bitchmade and not worth my time.

@ Detroit
good list…I disagree with the E-40 and Too Short…but that may just be east coast biased. Again, as i said earlier, my list is not for greatest albums in Hip hop of all time….just MY TOP 10.

Around and Around

BJ Bobby Gay, you spend too much time on wack ass lists and not enough time on the Medicade for that stunted seed….

Best line ever writtin on XXL…”I can’t get healthcare because I’m White” courtesy of OG Bobby J (No Homo)

Chaka

Brothers you all got some good lists out there but check out mine.Its a 15 album list.I dont like people using the word CLASSIC loosely.But I think this 15 are classics(There are not my top 15 but 15 classic albums).If you think any album on this list is not a classic pls give me your reasons and let the debate begin.Here is the list:

I don’t feel that the chronic 2001 is a classic album for a few reasons….
1. it was no where near as good as the chronic.
2. it wasn’t groundbreaking at all, honestly no one i know still listens to it.
3. Waaaaay too much dre on there (rapping that is). dre is a great producer, but a wack rapper.
4. Too many wack rappers on there….xzibit, Hitman, etc.
5. Dre didn’t even produce most of the album, so the production wasn’t as good as usual. This is when he really started using “ghost producers”.

just my opinion…..what do you think?

Dickrider Hater

Here comes Around n Around the ballsack to dickride again!!

Hey Around, you should spend less time riding niggas dicks and more time keepin an eye on your whore mother.

Beyatch!

og bobby j

@ Reach Around
Havent we been down this road before? Your a deepthroat….plain and simple. do they call you around and around due to your mothers sexual tirades or your fathers trips to prison? Get off my nuts….You need to spend less time thinking about me and my list and a little more time trying to spread some seeds yourself…in other placed then your shower floor. Fuckboy

Chaka

@DETROIT
My brother I still feel Chronic 2001 is a classic album.Here is a refutation of the reasons you gave for taking the opposite position.
(1)It was no where near as good as the chronic

Rebuttal:
No two classic albums are the same.It a truism that one must be better than the other.For example,Illmatic was ground breaking and reasonable doubt wasn’t. But this would in no way imply that the later is not a classic.So the fact that the Chronic might be better than Chronic 2001 doesn’t imply that the later is not a classic.
(2)it wasn’t groundbreaking at all, honestly no one i know still listens to it

Rebuttal:
Timeless is the word.That is one of the critarial of a classic album,and you feel Chronic 2001 lack that critarial.I disagree completely with you here.Heads down here in Africa still listen to that album like it was released yestaday.We play that album without us skipping more than a quarter of the tracks on that album.Even other classic albums like Illmatic and Reasonable doubt cannot stand the same test.You will agree with me that those two classic albums have more outdated tracks in them than Chronic 2001 or the Chronic.So,judging from this,if illmatic and reasonable doubt pass as classic albums then chronic 2001 which is more timeless should(I would like you to do a stat b/w Illmatic and Chronic 2001 and see which is more played today).
(3)Waaaaay too much dre on there (rapping that is). dre is a great producer, but a wack rapper

Rebuttal:
M hearing this for the first time.Dre a wack rapper!!!.Give me a break.What then is kanye?What term should we then use for people like P.diddy?Because Dre doesn’t write some of his stuff doesn’t necessary mean that he cant spit.All his verses(whether he was responsible for all of them or not) on that album were on point.There are even more memorable quotes from Dre’s verses on that album than those from Nas’verses on Illmatic.Infact,I dare you to back your agrument up by producing a wack line from one of Dre’s verses on that album.
(4)Too many wack rappers on there….xzibit, Hitman, etc.

Rebuttal:
I dont see any wack rapper that was on that album.Yeah they were one or two average rappers(i.e Six-two)on that album but they were far from wack.Xzibit,King Tee,Eminem,Snoop Dogg,Hitmann,Defari,MC Ren,are all dope artists in their own right.But the problem here might be that you just dont like west coast artists(I read your earlier comment on Snoop Dogg).
(5)Dre didn’t even produce most of the album, so the production wasn’t as good as usual. This is when he really started using “ghost producers

Rebuttal:
Leaving aside the argument whether Dre produced the tracks on that album or not(To me this argument is pointless because it seem to suggest that Dre has to be behind the beat for an album to be a classic.Which to me is false).The production of that album,to me,was the bomb.I can only think of a few hip hop albums that have a production quality that can match Chronic 2001 and those few albums were produced by this same Dre.

I would like to end my comment by giving you two irrefutable proofs(they are still others) why I think Chronic 2001 is a classic.
(1)It is timeless.The tracks just dont age with time.
(2)It doesn’t lack cohesion.
Peace

Sheron

Shhhhhhhhiiiiiiiiiiiiittttttttttttt. This niggas buggin.

DevilintheFlesh

Thanks for shedding some light on this situation. Only think I could think when I saw the post about Jermaine and his new venture on http://www.thisis50.com (Bol u shoudl go write for those guys) was how lame that shit sounded (Tag Body Spray and rap dont mix). Anyhow it just goes to show how little money there is to be made in this game so i hope we stop seeing all these bullshit rappers and start seeing more people trying hustle boost mobile phones. No Loon.

hambone-deluxo

bol, if you can use the word “ancillary” correctly, you can also trouble yourself to use the correct version of “they’re” (second paragraph)

jonathan

is your seeing me actually advertise products i like! and people similiar to me would like! and im not a regular person! i have similair taste as niggers as old fat ladies old white dudes asian people latin people! im really a mut! full of a bunch of different races! so i like alot of different shit! and alot of different people relate to me! im not advertiseing products some for some company that needs to boost there gross sales! im buying and useing products i actually like! thats why it works! all this hoopla like ill just get jayz! yeah thats cool! but more people relate to jonathan than to jayz! and always will! those people you are going to get now are rappers rappers are actors! jonathan the person you been slaving this whole time has not been acting! thats why people relate to me! thats why this worked while it did! what you are doing now! will never work! even people doing it on the internet! you really dont understand how niggas is! niggas like to showboat and put on a show when they know they have an audence so intern! your getting more actors! not gueniune people! and people dont relate to that shit! goodluck! im unique! thats all im saying! it was a unique situation! for while it was! thats why you got so many people jealous and trying to jump on the formula! but the formula was! there is no formula! once you take that away and are paying people for what they know they are being recorded and all this nonsense you get the HILLS a reality show full of actors! thats what you got now! a bunch of bullshit! and people dont relate to that! at all! its all bullshit! goodluck and take care! for real for real! and have the time of your life! and im not trying to wish bad! but you should just recognize what it was! jayz plans on carrying this fanbase over to whatever bullshit he got going on! goodluck and take care! for real for real! cause i doubt it works! people are gonna say! look they are all copying the tortured homeless guy now that they stole the gazzilion dollars from! you cant pay for what has happened in my life! all the murders around this situation and all that! and thats what you had the audeience from! not because of rap music! thats only one part! but you will figure that out soon enough! if that were the case! rap records would be selling out millions! but they arent! recognize and you will be better off! goodluck!

Josh

Will people really still be shelling out $100s to go see Jigga perform when he’s 50?

Will Jay and Beyonce be the new Ike and Tina (without the beating, I presume – Hov just doesn’t look like the type of dude that slaps women around)?

M-EZ

YES

http://www.thereziude.com Maurice Garland

yeah man….the Kingdom Come/Budweiser shit was only a warning as to what was coming…i wonder whats next?

Will see a Bad Boy/Proactive label soon?

BIGNAT

i remember when i saw that on tv diddy was talking i gotta perserve my sexy and proactive helped him do that

irish devil

THE TRUTH!!!

What’z Crackin

I always thought that jigga man was kind wack. I think everybody thought that Hov was Biggies lil homie when he came out. You had nas, biggie, wu tang then over to the left you had this Hawaiian Sofie fame nigga and the shit looked kind of corny.late 90′s some good music, but this decade blueprint was coo black album was coo but taking a tupac song me & my girlfriend and turning it into a love duet with Beyonce should be a unforgivable crime but its Hov so he got away with it but dude has lost his touch and is going to shove corporate sponsored garbage down our throats as long as he can.

ATL = All Trannies Live

Bol Watch all the (kiddies, stans, and uneducated) call you a hater.

http://www.myspace.com/chronikill ROX ONE

nice post… very informative..

“it’s not like the old model is coming back any time soon.”

still -one would think that enough disgruntled acts could get themselves under the same umbrella and work something out in terms of finding a happy medium between the proceeds from album sales and touring while spending a fraction of the cake that misguided lables do (did) for promotion and videos and whatnot.

I feel like I could figure this out with a ball, a long weekend and a 1/2 Z.

The Realness

What you talkin about Bol? This is great for the white community. Now maybe you smelly ass niggers will buy some fuckin TAG for your stank asses, so the white man dosent hafta gag when you walk by. Stankin ass jiggs!

Moniker

BOL…only you could make $150 million sound like nothing. lol

Also who do you know in the “business community” that isn’t impressed? Do you just hang around with a bunch of suits? And I love how you act like you know the touring information that coincides with Jay-Z’s deal. Classic.

However, you did drop the line – “When Jay-Z signed deal, of course many in the hip-hop community were filled with the sense of vicarious achievement that they always feel whenever it’s announced that Jay-Z has made some more money (if it sounds silly, that’s because it is)”

That shit had me fucking dying, cause it is sooo true.

http://xxlmagazine.com Cal

How come these guys keep predicting Jay Z stans hating on Bol I aint seen shit yet where the hell are they?

geico lizard

Bol, honestly 50 cent is acting alot like Beyonce to me man. he kicked out game because he was outshining him and then he kicks out buck for airing out some financial issues and beyonce did the same stuff her and her dad kicked out the first two girls for going public with wanting their own manager to handle the money right and then they got rid of that farrah chick because people were saying she looked better than beyonce. beyonce also has to shine when michelle or kelly try to come out and 50 is allover the interviews and videos whenever another g unit member tries to drop a solo joint. 50,jay and JD seem like good business men but they are burning alot of bridges along the way and its hard to stay on top forever because now that jay is married he will need alot more money because im sure beyonce spends her money and his money like kimora spent russells money.

Detroit P

now that jay is married he will need alot more money because im sure beyonce spends her money and his money like kimora spent russells money.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
You’re sure?..based on what?….I guess you’re her accountant…damn..every asshole in the world thinks their baseless speculations are worth sharing with everyone else…Oh you think yur a comedian and you just pointed out somethin everybody was thinkin but was too scared to say, and we’re all gonna have a good laugh about it and say “Co-Sign geico lizard”?…..Naw..but nice try

It’s a shame that you’re obviously intelligent yet choose to collude in the self hate, narrow, ignorant minded sh*t that fills these comment sections. You’re too old for that, these kids on here are half your age. Stop doing the jig for them.

Barry Bootface

Bol, I marvel at your ability to spit out 750 words of nonsense about nonsense. well done.

Trey Stone

Bol’s not a hater, he just thinks he’s way funnier/smarter than he actually is.

http://illbuythatforadollar.blogspot.com/ fecal matter between bread

good ref in the title

Bill Hicks is literally the G.O.A.T.

Jay Leno sux

daz_oc

How the hell did this turn into a greatest albums conversation?? shit has nothing to do with the post……….just wondering

http://myspace@ndotc.comwww.iamhiphop.com/ndotc N DOT C

I’m only commenting cuz Bol isn’t getting as much comments as he use to. Bloggers need props to (Even though most are doing the opppsite)

Jay’s nothing but a triple wrapped scarf wearing wash out, and that’s coming from a 1990-2001 Stan. This is a sad story if we got to watch him disintegrate for another 10 years into a media pop star clown.

http://www.yorapper.com YoRapper

Co-f*cking-sign.

Youngz

Seriously, Jay-Zs carrier is overrated, I mean Reasonable Doubt is a classic, The Blueprint and the Black album is really good. But come on, Vol 3, the blueprint 2 and kingdome come is just embarrasing, even worse than eminem encore or Fifs curtis.

My brother I feel the same way as you do.Today we speak of reasonable doubt as a classic,even though it was ignored in its own time by true hip hop lovers.I guess if Jay had stopped rapping back in 96 no one today would have dubbed that album a classic.Yeah they would have called it a great album like capital punishment but no one would have dreamt of calling it a classic.Jay long career was what made people to start dubbing that album an Hip hop classic.If it was left for me alone I would not call it a classic album.But,as painful as it is,I just got to bow to the consensus.Peace

Dylan

1. Dylan
2. Dylan
3. Dylan
4. Dylan
5. Dylan

http://www.rizzleworld.blogspot.com R.O.

Jay has got a lot of nerve. This coming from the same guy saying “on tours like whores” when referring to other rappers. Now look at this nigga. He touring like a whore because he not smart enough to see where the money is anymore.

Ryan

Why no mention of anything from Kool G Rap’s catalog in the greatest list? There wouldn’t be a Pun, Jay Z, etc. without G Rap. RA the Rugged man doesn’t even want fans who don’t know who G Rap is.

http://rap.jairdynast.com Real Rappers Wanted!

It’s a wonder why well established artists like Jay-Z would even sign a deal like this. With the capital he has he really doesn’t need a company like Live Nation to back his recordings or set up tours for him at all. Therefore, being that Jay advertises himself as Hip Hop’s ultimate hustler, it leaves me to believe that he has to be winning big time off this deal no matter how we outsiders see it.

As for rappers like Young Buck and them if they didn’t let the flashy lifestyle of hip hop keep them broke by spending their advances on BS in the first place they too could eek out a decent living off the fame and fan base they have built up over the years.

Jay Zs clever cause he sexpanding his fanbase with this deal as well. He got gigs lined up at loads of rock festivals in Europe meaning he gets exposure there. Hes got a gig with Linkin Park in UK and im sure hell do that elsewhere as well. Guys smart cause his album sales will rise worldwide.

Its where the real moneys at. Not the US>

Sheron

Dam, you dudes are really hating. Anyone that says Jay’s lyrics aren’t some of the best just isn’t into lyrics. They must focus on the beat only. DC, your smoking crack.

tony starks

There some dickheads in this place. how’s man gonna come on here and say capital punishment is the best hip hop albulm ever. guys a prick you need to go get some hip hop education fucking prick. his top top doesn’t have nas(illmatic)wu tang (36 chambers) raekwon (only built for cuban lynx)cormega (the truth) ghostface (supreme clientele) and dats just the basics that any real follower would know. please if you dont know your shit dont be posting nothing here dat makes you look dumb. Idiot!!

og bobby j

You are forbidden to comment. You just shit on Capital Punishment and proceeded to mention Cormega. I think that says enough. It is funny tho how handjobs that talk shit still fail to realize that my list is an opinion…not a fact. You being an uneducated dick rider, for example, is a fact. Your mother looks like stepped on dog shit…opinion. see the difference?

Enoch

aye whoever wrote this is a real nigga mahn.. these rappera are prostitutes.

tony starks

og booby j you cant come here and insult people when your the one that who had get rich or dying as one of your top 10 i dont give a fuck if its your own opinion that says to me your opinion is bullshit get real and step yer game up and stop with your childish dissing. idiot!!

@Detroit,
That Death Certificate CD is worthy of being in anyones top 5 all time. Good list. Hell it is really pushing for top 3. Cube been the sh!t…who else has dropped 3 classic joints in a row like him…

At the end of the day its all subjective, some is based off geographical location and some based on the age of the listener. Somehow we forget how dope groups like Run-DMC, Whodini and Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five were back in the day. I remember goin and gettin that new cassette or vinyl record good ole days!

http://avocadosvideos.blogspot.com Alyssa Toth

If only I had a greenback for each time I came here.. Amazing article!